Two-time Dakar champion Toby Price has spoken of the desperate efforts to try to save Paulo Goncalves after finding him beside his crashed motorcycle. Price was the first on the scene of Goncalves' fatal crash and stayed with him until the rescue helicopter flew the mortally injured Portuguese rider to hospital where he was pronounced dead. "We all worked as long as we could but there was nothing we could do. I helped assist carrying him to the helicopter as it was the right thing to do. I was first at his side and wanted to be the last to leave," Price posted about staying more than one hour with Goncalves. Price's act of selfless humanity drew messages of support from across the globe. Humbled by the messages, Price posted: "We are human and this is nothing but just a race, I would give up all my wins to have any of my fellow racing mates back with us. "Worst day for the rally sport. Rest and ride in peace Pablo Goncalves you will be missed by many! Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends! This one hurts and is tough to swallow." Price had started stage seven of the rally five minutes behind Goncalves. "I came over a small crest and saw a rider down and it was Paulo," Price posted. "Worst fears kicked in because I knew this one was serious. "I called for help ASAP and helped get him on his side (plus more serious checks). "I tried calling for more help and by this stage Stefan Svitko (also a champion) had arrived and helping where he could. "The first helicopter arrive and Luc Alphand was starting to help and as the medical helicopter arrived they were already on CPR and the doctors got to our sides and worked all they could. "I was helping holding drip bags, getting bags of medical equipment and guiding other riders around a bad scene." Price said completing the stage after Goncalves had been airlifted was one of the hardest things he had done. "My last 250km of the special stage was tough, I'm dehydrated from tears," he posted "At the moment I'm not even worried about the result, I couldn't care." Price said it would take a long time to get over the loss of Goncalves who was very popular. "We will miss your smile and laughter in the bivouac," Price said. The bike section of the rally continued with stage nine on Tuesday after riders halted racing for a day in a mark of respect for Goncalves. Price's stage time was adjusted to allow for the time he spent with Goncalves. He started stage nine in fourth spot overall, 28 minutes and 44 seconds behind leader Ricky Brabec.

Toby Price would give up his wins to have his mate Paulo Gonclaves back

TRAUMATIC: Former Hunter rider Toby Price was the first to arrive on the scene of Paulo Goncalves' fatal crash. Inset: Paulo Goncalves.

Two-time Dakar champion Toby Price has spoken of the desperate efforts to try to save Paulo Goncalves after finding him beside his crashed motorcycle.

Price was the first on the scene of Goncalves' fatal crash and stayed with him until the rescue helicopter flew the mortally injured Portuguese rider to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"We all worked as long as we could but there was nothing we could do. I helped assist carrying him to the helicopter as it was the right thing to do. I was first at his side and wanted to be the last to leave," Price posted about staying more than one hour with Goncalves.

Price's act of selfless humanity drew messages of support from across the globe.

Humbled by the messages, Price posted: "We are human and this is nothing but just a race, I would give up all my wins to have any of my fellow racing mates back with us.

"Worst day for the rally sport. Rest and ride in peace Pablo Goncalves you will be missed by many! Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends! This one hurts and is tough to swallow."

Price had started stage seven of the rally five minutes behind Goncalves.

"I came over a small crest and saw a rider down and it was Paulo," Price posted.

"Worst fears kicked in because I knew this one was serious.

"I called for help ASAP and helped get him on his side (plus more serious checks).

"I tried calling for more help and by this stage Stefan Svitko (also a champion) had arrived and helping where he could.

"The first helicopter arrive and Luc Alphand was starting to help and as the medical helicopter arrived they were already on CPR and the doctors got to our sides and worked all they could.

"I was helping holding drip bags, getting bags of medical equipment and guiding other riders around a bad scene."

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Price said completing the stage after Goncalves had been airlifted was one of the hardest things he had done.

"My last 250km of the special stage was tough, I'm dehydrated from tears," he posted

"At the moment I'm not even worried about the result, I couldn't care."

Price said it would take a long time to get over the loss of Goncalves who was very popular.

"We will miss your smile and laughter in the bivouac," Price said.

The bike section of the rally continued with stage nine on Tuesday after riders halted racing for a day in a mark of respect for Goncalves.

Price's stage time was adjusted to allow for the time he spent with Goncalves. He started stage nine in fourth spot overall, 28 minutes and 44 seconds behind leader Ricky Brabec.